October 31, 2008
A little something else for you...
I don't know... just seemed perfect for Halloween.
Posted by mcblogger at 04:20 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
This is why Obama will win...
(This was originally written September 8th. It got lost under the recap plan and the fact that the economy was sliding downhill, fast. In hindsight, I wish I'd published it)
A week ago last Friday, McCain introduced the rest of the US to Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. I thought surely it's some kind of joke, until I saw her speak on Wednesday. She didn't have command of the issues and clearly still doesn't. More importantly, she typifies the Republican base in a desire to be willfully ignorant. The scary part is that her brand of folksy snark appeals to a lot of voters.
Oh, they were still going to lose. However, what the Obama campaign has done since her coming out party on the 29th has been spot on perfect.
This will not have any effect on the 25% of the country that loves Bush and the Republicans and thinks that Sarah Palin actually gets briefed at the same level as Sen. Biden (no joke, I got an email saying that earlier today). This will fire up Democrats, even the moderates. It'll also have a positive impact on independent voters (it's not mean, it's truthful and it hits).
There is one thing that is absolutely certain... Bob Shrum is NOT running this campaign. And Obama is going to annihilate McCain.
Posted by mcblogger at 02:40 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
While making black holes
It's the part at the end that really got me... because when I'm not around, this blog doesn't exist. Mostly because no one else will post on it. Because they're all shiftless bums who deserve to live on under the bridge at Braker & MoPac.
Especially Barfly.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:42 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Ideology. FAIL.
The flaw, Alan, was in thinking that markets were perfect and regulation was unnecessary. Of course, you weren't the only one to blame. There were all these people as well.
The hard-to-accept reality is that Greenspan, of all these people, was probably the one who actually did get something right, his fixation on inflation and the ridiculousness of the Bush tax cuts. Which even now those on the right are going on and on about as if continuing them is something other than leading us to disaster.
Posted by mcblogger at 10:41 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
In which a crook speaks to tweety
I'm not posting the video here, you can see it by clicking here. I just can't put up an embedded video of Tom Delay, one of the nastiest, most ignorant people in the universe.
Far more disgusting is what Tweety says about him at the end. Chris Matthews, I thought your show was 'Hardball' not 'Hardballs (in my mouth)'. Seriously, yo, watching you fellate Tom Delay is sick. Like watching japscat. It's not that I want to censor Tom Delay... it would just be nice if one of our infotainment journalists were smart enough to call him on his shit. AND PRESS HIM DOWN WHEN HE'S WRONG.
Of course, that's not Matthew's style. He's only a tiger with State Senators.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:09 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 30, 2008
Bye-Bye, Fred
Despite getting the Tysabri he desperately needed, Dallas attorney and Democratic fundraiser Fred Baron passed away today. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Posted by mcblogger at 08:55 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Have bad liver, will travel...
The Statesman has been putting up some great stuff on medical tourism. For those of you who don't know, it's when someone (say a US citizen) goes to another country to get a medical procedure done. For those of you who don't live in Texas this concept will be alien and a little scary. For those of us who live in Texas, this is basically like a trip down to the clinica in la farmacia, know what I mean?
What the Statesman did stumble onto are plans by insurers to force people from the US to seek treatment in other countries.
See, doctors and nurses? I told you eventually the insurers would fuck you guys like they've been fucking us for years. Still think socialized medicine is bad deal? Still think 'free' trade is awesome? It's pretty scary when you compete against someone who make a tenth of your salary.
Posted by mcblogger at 08:15 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
THIS is a good endorsement
I'm still thinking Rick was a 'tard for this, but the endorsement in the Chronicle is SPOT ON.
Over the years, Noriega has worked his way up through the ranks. He has distinguished himself as a soldier in Afghanistan and on the Texas-Mexico border, and as an elected official in Austin. During Hurricane Ike, he performed duty above and beyond the call helping those in need at the George R. Brown Convention Center. He richly deserves a promotion to Washington.Noriega is showing himself to be the model of an effective Democrat — a centrist, moderate Texas Democrat — in a time when most voters are sick of political extremes. As such, he may one day set the standard for what a strong Texas senator can be.
Rick, stick close to Dodd on financial issues. Oh, and Sen. Bentsen would have voted for the bank recapitalization. Better yet, just call me. Melissa's got the number.
Posted by mcblogger at 03:18 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
RSB 2008 : Ticket information
I know you're excited about Red State Blues! We just got an update from the promoter and you can, apparently, get tix at TCDP coordinated HQ (11th@35) for $25. Online there's an additional charge so if you have a chance I'd run over to TCDP and pick up your tix!
Posted by mcblogger at 12:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
In which we bid on the Statesman
We are seriously considering a bid for the Statesman which is, as many of you are no doubt aware, being put out on the lawn (like knick-knacks from grandma's trip to Oklahoma) in Cox's garage sale of Texas media properties.
We can report that will be submitting a cash and a securities offer that, to say the least, is impressive. For us. The securities (or, as our adviser calls them, 50 year IOU's) we are issuing as part of the transaction have a notational value in the hundreds of millions. Their current cash equivalent is $19.32 which we think is extraordinarily fair.
And yes, Statesman staff, we'll be giving you all raises should our bid be chosen. Even you, Gardner.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:37 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
What gives AT&T nightsweats?
Apparently, AT&T is all hot and nervous about D's winning next week, mostly because they've had the R's in the bag for a decade. Still, they really needn't worry so much... after all, it was all but one of the Republicans and a few D's who voted for retroactive immunity for T and it's competitors.
Posted by mcblogger at 10:16 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
You SUCK : Governor Sanford (SC) Edition
South Carolina Governor Sanford spent Wednesday in Washington at hearings regarding another stimulus package. People on both sides agree one is needed to boost states and cities, mostly to rebuild crumbling infrastructure (which is, coincidentally, the single BEST thing you can do for commerce nationally) and to get consumer (and then business) confidence back up.
...House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee demonstrated bipartisan support for tens of billions of dollars for infrastructure projects such as highway construction, water and sewer projects and modernization of schools and public housing.There, lawmakers and witnesses such as New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine, a Democrat, touted public works projects for both creating jobs and making the economy more efficient.
"Every billion dollars in spending on infrastructure, on highway and transportation expenditures does result in 35,000 new jobs," said Rep. John Mica, R-Fla.
I did say people agree but that's not really true. It was MOST EVERYONE on one side and Governor Sanford stupidly on the other. Sanford, it appears, has not had that stunning Come-To-Jesus moment where we all realize that we're not islands unto ourselves, no matter how much we love Ayn Rand.
"I'm here to beg of you not to approve or advance the contemplated $150 billion stimulus package," Sanford said. "This $150 billion salve may in fact further infect our economy with unnecessary government influence and unintended fiscal consequences."By Sanford's count, the federal government has already pumped $2 trillion into the economy this year through a previous stimulus package, the financial services bailout, and rescue actions for specific firms.
After Paterson and Sanford offered heady arguments featuring quotes from noted economists and novelist Ayn Rand, the committee heard from another witness, Mayor Douglas Palmer of Trenton, N.J.
He had a much simpler message, quoting "that great poet John Lennon of the Beatles."
"Help!" the mayor said.
Would someone, please, take aside our ertswhile Realtor turned politician and explain to him that little actual money has been spent... and it's entirely probable that little actually will be spent before the markets recover?
You might also want to clue him into the fact that Rand just doesn't, you know, jive well with the real world. Where we live. You know the type of people who are obsessed with the overly simplistic Rand? People like this guy...
o
Who is apparently the next Governor from South Carolina.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:19 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Vouchers... again.
Like cockroaches, vouchers keep popping up despite the best efforts of EVERYONE to get rid of them. WHY? Because James Leininger wants MORE government money than he already gets. In late 2006, it was Sen. Shapiro who was talking about this. Now, it's Bill Keffer in his quixotic quest to retake the seat he lost to Rep. Allen Vaught.
Let's be clear... these vouchers will not be enough, on their own, for most families with ASD kids. Further, it's the responsibility of the district to provide for special needs kids, and children with ASD fall into that group. However, they often don't have the money to create the learning environment these parents demand. BECAUSE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE UNDERFUNDED. THERE is one part of the reality these parents don't want to face. The other is that even with a voucher, they still wouldn't be able to afford the school.
This honestly pisses me off because we need to be doing better for ALL TEXAS CHILDREN, regardless of their abilities. Bill Keffer, time and again, has done everything he can to make that impossible. It's high time we stop worrying just about individual kids and start focusing on solutions that will help all kids.
Posted by mcblogger at 01:08 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 29, 2008
And you thought Palin was the only one
Ladies and Gentleman, I give you Jeri Thompson. Fresh off forcing her geriatric husband to run for President, Jeri has decided to take on Sarah Palin as her cause du jour. As part of Team Palin, she'll remind Americans just why they hate bitchy, hungry, nasty women.
Jeri, have a jelly donut and STFU. 'Governer' Palin represents fewer people than the Mayor of Austin and her accomplishments include, well, nothing. Even the pipeline she's all about is a pipe dream.
And make sure that donut comes from Krispy Kreme, K?
Posted by mcblogger at 08:38 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Really? No, I mean REALLY?
Joe The (unlicensed) Plumber wants to run for Congress.
Today he was busy campaigning for McThuselah in his native OH (you know, where he owes back taxes) talking about how afraid he was of Obama tax plan (which is funny since he doesn't, you know, pay his taxes) and how Obama would destroy Israel, which is an obvious lie, kind of like Joe's plan to buy a business and make hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Seriously, Republicans, THIS SCHMUCK IS THE BEST YOU CAN DO?!?!?!?!
Posted by mcblogger at 03:57 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
KXAN.com gets a facelift
Nice work, Charlie Ray & Co! And, to LIN, way to go making a deal with Time Warner. Pretty stupid to begin with since the ad revenue is way more important. And your problem there is NBC's shitty programming.
It's easy to make phat bank when people are watching your shows.
Posted by mcblogger at 02:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Why is Dobson all about the gays?
Seriously, WHAT'S YOUR DAMAGE, HEATHER?!?!
Dr. Dobson of the Lunatic Fringe has spent a lot of time thinking about gays and how they are destroying America. With what, you may be asking? Good taste and style? Wicked sharp wit? Drinks parties?
Silly, people... gays are destroying America by irritating Dobson who has gone so far as to pen a Letter From The Future. A future dominated by gays who apparently are exercising some kind of bizarre control over EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING.
The most far-reaching transformation of American society came from the Supreme Court’s stunning affirmation, in early 2010, that homosexual marriage was a “constitutional” right that had to be respected by all 50 states because laws barring same-sex marriage violated the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution. Suddenly homosexual marriage was the law of the land in all 50 states and no state legislature, no state Supreme Court, no state Constitutional amendment, not even Congress had any power to change it. The Supreme Court had ruled, and the discussion was over. This was a blatant example of creating new law by the court, for homosexual marriage was mentioned nowhere in the Constitution, nor would any of the original authors have imagined that same sex marriage could be derived from their words.
Uhm, he DOES realize that the SC doesn't change when there's an election, right? And that there's ZERO chance of this SC allowing gay marriage? Or has he finally taken that fall down the rabbit hole of senility?
What IS it with this guy and his obsession over teh gays?
Posted by mcblogger at 12:39 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Stand up for Sherrie!
Coby has a good run down on John Davis than and now... and, I gotta tell you, it's a good piece on someone who has absolutely no integrity. And would say anything to stay in office.
He'll also take money from anyone to stay in office. Which makes him something of a poliwhore.
Help Sherrie Matula today to send Davis back to Houston next week.
Posted by mcblogger at 10:46 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
This.Is.Brilliant.
Really, this is one of the most perfect things I have ever read.
I don't know about that, but it seems a bit coincidence that three's the number of lines they give me on the WIC forms I got to fill out every five damn seconds. Why do they need to keep bugging me all the time? Shit, I ain't losing 'em. I still got the same number of babies as last time you asked. And they need they cornflakes.
Posted by mcblogger at 10:21 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Hypocrisy is my FAVORITE
Why does ANYONE still listen to Rove?
Posted by mcblogger at 09:06 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
FINALLY...
Solar panels generate electricity when photons in sunlight knock loose electrons in silicon or another semiconductor. Other concentrated photovoltaic makers magnify sunlight about 500 times. SUNRGI says it can multiply that by four because it has a system to instantly cool its germanium-based semiconductor from 3,300 degrees to 20 degrees above ambient temperature. High temperatures can melt a solar cell.Also pushing down costs are a highly efficient semiconductor that converts 37% of the sunlight to electricity, more than double the industry average. The unit's compact size allows it to be made at electronics or PC factories, avoiding the need to build new plants.
With that out of the way, would someone please work on a high efficiency battery? You know, for cars?
Posted by mcblogger at 01:10 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 28, 2008
The market is ALWAYS right... even when it doesn't really exist
Isn't it great when we have the free market to help us realize savings in fantasy land? It'll come as no surprise that electricity dereg has failed if you've been, you know, READING this blog regularly (which reminds me, we need to talk... we need to see you more often. Think of McBlogger as something you do every morning. Like pooping). But in case you're one of the millions who haven't been reading us, the Texas Observer has this.
Posted by mcblogger at 08:58 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Sarah Palin, 2008...
...meet Iranian show mom, 1988.
Posted by mcblogger at 03:21 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Oh, I feel hella bad
for this bitch's husband
Overfed and under read, the perfect southern fried cracker combo. And, if I may speak directly to little miss Freakeyes McFatterson, rather than make up ridiculous excuses why not just say "I'm not voting for That One". It'll be easier on you.
And for the love of all, would you please lay off the Ho-Ho's? Maybe go out into the world and find a job that pays you something so as to take a little pressure off your poor husband?
Sorry about that... apparently, the fuckballs at Jumpstart Productions removed the video from YouTube. It was PBS, yo! What, did they think they wouldn't get paid?
Posted by mcblogger at 01:37 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
In which Mike McCaul (and Mike Rosen)...
...get their dicks knocked in the dirt.
Vince over at Capital Annex (who is now an ardent supporter of Larry Joe Doherty) penned a piece in the primary that wasn't terribly flattering for LJD. One of the many mouthbreathers that do webwork for Republicans (the doucheriffic Colton Brugger) decided to post that particular piece on an anti-Larry Joe website.
They didn't bother to get Vince's permission.
Now, content can be used pretty freely from most bloggers. Sometimes people ask in advance and, as a general rule, I let people use stuff gratis as long as they blockquote and link back to me even if they don't ask. However, I reserve the right to pull back that implied permission. At any time. So do most bloggers. Once we send you a notice, you better pull the content down.
And that's just what Vince did. By sending a notice to the McCaul campaign, he expected them to comply and remove the post since they were, ostensibly, running the site. BUT, being the morons they are, they decided to issue a press release mocking the demand (we think that was the idea of legendary dipshit Mike Rosen formerly of Fox 7). So Vince, being the nice, patient person he is, decided to send a letter to their service provider.
And within hours, all of Brugger's sites were down. Not just the anti-LJD site, ALL OF THEM.
Just FYI, if you get a DMCA notice from someone, heed it. K, Mike? And for all you folks wondering about LJD's chances, McCaul is worried. And the 10th is in play.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Hank has some fun with Cornyn's guy
Hank Gilbert was campaigning for and with Rick Noriega in East Texas yesterday. While at the Smith County Democratic Party HQ, Hank noticed a guy with a video camera. Hank asked who it was and he was told that the guy worked for the Cornyn Campaign.
Which tickled Hank and when Hank walked up to the guy and asked him to leave, the idiot actually asked if he was serious.
No, the poor guy didn't end up at Mother Francis with a boot stuck up his ass. But he sure as hell didn't stay in the office at the Smith County Democratic Party.
This little story made me realize
1) That Hank Gilbert STILL rocks!
2) That John Cornyn is scared to death of Rick Noriega.
Posted by mcblogger at 10:23 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
RSB 2008 : A Concert For Change
In what has been an historic year, Austin has stood out. We have been one of the largest, most supportive communities for Democrats in the country but this year the bright, shining star in the center of Texas got the attention of the nation. And Red State Blues is continuing that by sponsoring A Concert For Change next week.
Red State Blues
A Concert For Change
A one night concert event that fuses the temperature of our historic political times with modern music for all to celebrate!
Austin Music Hall
Monday, November 3rd
Doors Open for General Admission? at 7:00 pm
Featuring
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
James McMurtry
Brownout
General Admission $25.00?
(tickets can be purchased online)
VIP Reception Happy Hour
5:30pm-7:00pm
Musical Performance by Paris 49 with Special Guest Chrysta-Bell
Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cocktails
VIP Reception ticket to concert is just $75.00
(tickets can be purchased online)
All proceeds will benefit the Travis County Democratic Party and the Sims Foundation, two very worthy causes both seeking to make Austin (and Travis County) a better place.
For more information visit Red State Blues Concerts.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:20 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Roundin' Up The TPA
It's time for another edition of the Texas Progressive Alliance Weekly Roundp-Up. This week's edition is compiled by Vince from Capitol Annex.
Oh, and don't forget to vote early!
The Texas Cloverleaf helps spread the truth about ACORN.
McBlogger takes a look at our own Congressman from Clear Channel, Mike McCaul, and discovers that he is indeed different.
jobsanger points out the dysfunctional aspect of this year's Republican campaign, first in Palin Disagrees With McCain, and then in Repubs Can't See The Reality.
BossKitty at TruthHugger is sad to recognize that while America’s Foreign Policy Suffers - Unemployment Soars - Religion Goes Toxic America's short attention span has been grabbed by personal survival and courted by political and religious philosophies.
As early voting begins Eye On Williamson charts the early voting numbers in Williamson County. HD-52 Democratic candidate Diana Maldonado continues to rack up the endorsements and launches her latest ad, taking on the insurance companies and high homeowners insurance.
Neil at Texas Liberal posted the second part of his Who I Would Have Supported For President series. The latest entry covered the years 1824-1852.
Gary at Easter Lemming Liberal News is keeping the early voting info up for the voters who need it but did notice that all the PUMAs have come home to Obama.
Vince at Capitol Annex notes that the Texas Association of Business has finally pleaded guilty in connection with its 2002 violations of Texas' campaign financing laws and that State Rep. John Davis (R-Clear Lake) and State Sen. Kim Brimer (R-Fort Worth) have taken big bucks from a company the TCEQ fined more than a quarter million dollars last week for polluting.
CouldBeTrue from South Texas Chisme has some hints about how to get your specific sample ballot. Be prepared!
Off the Kuff analyzes the high level of early voting in Harris County so far.
XicanoPwr analyzes the GOP attack on ACORN and the disenfranchisement of thousands of voters carried out by Paul Bettencourt in Harris County.
John McCain describes the economy as a drive by shooting. The Texas Cloverleaf calls it a whack job.
North Texas Liberal reports on Sarah Palin's $150,000 shopping spree at Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, and discusses why it could signal the end for her and John McCain's faltering campaign.
As Democrats in Harris County appear on the verge of something historic, the trends in the extraordinary early voting turnout portend the same blue surge that the rest of the country
is about to experience. PDiddie at Brains and Eggs has the deets.
refinish69 at Doing My Part For The Left wants everyone to say thanks to Barbara at Avenue Gallery- NOT!!!
nytexan at Bluebloggin points out just how McCain and Palin are alike with their FEC violations. We’ve gone from 8 years of the “emperor has no clothes” to “the empress has new clothes.” The GOP is priceless. Palin is following in McCain’s footsteps for FEC violations, what a pair of mavericks. CREW Files FEC Complaint Against Palin. And, for McCain, apparently he and Palin have an affection for Russia; McCain’s New FEC Violation: Asks Russia For Campaign Money.
George at The Texas Blue wants you to know your job's not over just because you voted. We look at the early voting excitement across the state and remind you that it's critical
to tell your friends and family to vote as well!
Posted by mcblogger at 09:08 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Divided Nation?
No, Richard Schiff, your wife is just an idiot.
Posted by mcblogger at 12:09 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 27, 2008
A little something for you...
Posted by mcblogger at 02:53 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Someone take Palin's Neimans card away
The most irritating thing about this whole 'Palin+Neiman's+Sak's' (other than the fact that Madam Hick managed to find a Neiman Marcus) is that it's given Biden another reason to remind everyone that he's an average Joe.
It's funny to note how rats always jump from the sinking ship. We can't wait to bring all our old hits back when Governor Palin decides to reinvolve herself in politics in 2012 or 2016.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:50 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The Crystal Method ft. Obama
CM has remixed Now Is The Time and incorporated Sen. Obama's acceptance speech. Download it for free here.
Posted by mcblogger at 12:28 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 26, 2008
Tator-tot assaults self
This is 20 year old Ashely Todd. She's a College Republican working for McCain in PA. She claimed she was assaulted by an Obama supporter but as it turns out, she was lying like the dog she is.
The sad part, she's from Texas. The good part (for all you straight boys) is that she's not in Texas.
Bless her heart!
Posted by mcblogger at 10:58 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 25, 2008
Roundin' Up The TPA
It's time for another edition of the Texas Progressive Alliance's weekly round-up. This week's round-up is compiled by Vince from Capitol Annex.
The Texas Cloverleaf took part in Blog Action Day this past Wednesday. Find out how you can combat poverty in your neck of the woods.
Bay Area Houston listed the fines for State Representatives and Senators issued by the Texas Ethics Commission in 2007 and 2008. Enjoy!
jobsanger discusses voting and registration. He says the E-Voting Can't Be Trusted without a paper trail, and ACORN Is Not Committing Fraud in their effort to register over a million new voters.
Vince at Capitol Annex notes that State Rep. John Davis (R-Clear Lake) is misleading voters about his poor record on education in his newest mailer, and that the mainstream media is calling John Cornyn's performance in the final senatorial debate "less than senatorial."
In the first of a series of posts on past presidential elections, Neil at Texas Liberal offers up Who I Would Have Supported For President 1788-1820.
WhosPlayin goes off on a Republican County Chair who thinks a candidate's sexual preference is more important than the substance of his ideas.
Off the Kuff takes a look at why some people won't be able to cast their ballot during the first few days of early voting.
CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme wants a fair election without Republican voter suppression and questionable electronic voting machines.
WCNews at Eye On Williamson posts on the fake controversy about voter "registration" fraud, Gone nuts about ACORN. And Diana Maldonado released her first TV ad this week, HD-52: Diana Maldonado is on TV, "Texas' Comeback".
Now that McBlogger has torn him a new cesspool, Joe The Plumber's fifteen minutes of fame are OVER
North Texas Liberal dissects Obama's wide lead on McCain in the polls and the projected electoral map. Also, former Secretary of State Colin Powell endorses Obama for president. (Start following us on Twitter for mini-updates and breaking news!)
North Texas Liberal dissects Obama's wide lead on McCain in the polls and the projected electoral map. Also, former Secretary of State Colin Powell endorses Obama for president. (Start following us on Twitter for mini-updates and breaking news!)
Gary at Easter Lemming Liberal News has put up his Early Voting Info post but also announced he is rapidly becoming a clueless Cassandra.
BossKitty at TruthHugger is sad to recognize that Sex Scandals, Scams, Phishing and Your Bank Account are signs of deeper disorders. Power, Money and Sex are hopelessly intertwined with EGO.
Justin at AAA-Fund Blog laments the loss of Gordon Quan as a future candidate.
Burnt Orange Report takes a look into the numbers of the latest poll in the U.S. Senate race and tells why it might be even closer than it looks.
Over at TexasKaos, fake consultant discovers a Gaint Load of Hooey in one of THOSE emails. Just for fun, he investigates the "facts". The result is an education in how desperate the McCain-Palin crowd have become.
Posted by mcblogger at 12:26 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 24, 2008
Ahh... to have the late 90's back
In case you're wondering it's Tamperer ft. Maya and it's about ten years old. Think about how much fun you were having in 98 and 99 and remember to vote for a return to that on November 4th.
Yeah, I know as a political statement it's pretty lame. HOWEVER, it's Friday and if this song doesn't make you feel just a little lighter and happier, then you're just fucked.
Posted by mcblogger at 03:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
You SUCK : Michelle Bachmann Edition
We knew Michelle Bachmann was hella stupid but we had no idea she was aspiring to be the female version of Joe McCarthy.
BACHMANN: And they can’t take it because the point is what are Barack Obama’s policies? Are they for America or will they be against traditional American ideals and values? And I’ll tell you what. Punishing tax rates, redistribution of wealth, socialized medicine, inputing censorship in the form of the un-Fairness Doctrine and taking away the secret ballot from the worker has nothing to do with traditional American values. That’s why your listeners need to know. Otherwise the United States may be literally changed forever.
Given how stupid and wrong she was on the Economic Stabilization Act, I'd sooner listen to a drunk bum on the street than Michella. It's good to know that her challenger is doing well and it's heartening that her special brand of hate mixed with idiocy in a venti-size cup is winning friends and influencing people... to endorse Democrats.
Go support Michelle's opponent, Elwyn Tinklenberg.
Posted by mcblogger at 01:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Lend, damn you!
DealBook is reporting that some banks are planning not to spend some of the bailout money they are getting from the Fed via equity swap.
"It doesn't matter how much Hank Paulson gives us," an influential senior official at a big bank that received money from the government told Mr. Sorkin. "No one is going to lend a nickel until the economy turns."
This is precisely why commercial banks suck. First off, they lend with no safety net and lever themselves up irresponsibly. THEN, when the shit hits the fan and they get some help to stabilize the economy, they decide to leave their book frozen. The bigger problem for the banks is that sitting on that cash is doing nothing for their profit and loss since they don't make money sitting in cash. In fact, it's probably costing them. Which means eventually they will be forced to start lending again.
If they don't, then Treasury needs to nationalize, wipe out the shareholders and terminate everyone above branch VP for cause with no severance. Banks exist only by the grace of the government which charters them to further commerce for the benefit of the people of this country. If they won't do that, then there is simply no reason for them to exist in their present form. Know what I mean?
Posted by mcblogger at 12:15 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
SNL : Bush, Paylin and a bashful McCain
Posted by mcblogger at 09:59 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Mike McCaul's not like you or me...
While we ARE better looking than Mike McCaul, we are most definitely not richer than Mike McCaul. Apparently, Mike wanted to keep it that way by voting against the Economic Stabilization Act that recently passed. This was the bill that, just in case you were wondering, kept us from a Depression.
Smart people, Democrats and Republicans, worked hard to create this legislation but Mike McCaul said he was against it. Against stabilizing markets. Against passing something that would keep the economy from going into a tailspin. It's really very easy to understand why he'd do something like this. He's rich. He won the ovarian lottery AND he married well. Which is nice. For him.
It does, however, kind of leave us to twist in the wind when something that effects us (but doesn't touch him) happens. It's especially funny since his 'no regulation' ideology caused this mess in the first place.
It's time to cast off the failed leadership of Micheal McCaul. Frankly, we all deserve better. Especially our troops which Congressman McCaul regards much as one would used kleenex.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:10 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 23, 2008
Sorry to hear about your mom...
Leave it to Beaver, this ain't. A woman and her son decided to secretly cremate the remains of her mother after she died according to her wishes. On the barbecue. They then decided not to tell anyone so those phat social security checks would keep on rollin'.
Hosler says her daughter, 50-year-old Kathleen Allmond, and her grandson, 30-year-old Tony Ray, told investigators they left the body on her bedroom floor for a week before cremating the remains in their backyard fire pit. They then covered the pit and remains with soil and planted a tree on top, according to investigators. The family's home sits in the midst of a 10-acre olive grove, remote from neighbors.Detectives say the daughter also fashioned a two-inch piece of her mother's skull into a necklace. Hosler said Ray took a photograph of Kathleen Allmond wearing the necklace, as well as a beaded wire tiara that she believed would ward off radio waves, to post on a social networking Web site.
"It gets really weird when you have a piece of mom's skull hanging around your neck," Hosler said. "I'm not aware of any religion that allows you to burn your family members in the backyard and collect their pension."
I bet Christmas this year with the rest of the family (the ones who weren't set on fire and made into jewelry) will be a little awkward.
Posted by mcblogger at 07:12 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Vote NO on Prop 2
If you live in Austin, you probably know that some of the peeps on Council voted to give tax incentives to a mall filled with high end retail because the developer whined that they just couldn't do it any other way. Flash forward a couple of years and there I am, able to finally go to Neiman's without a trip to Dallas.
Wait... that wasn't my point. OK, it was about the tax incentives. Yeah, I think those were a super bad idea in the case of the Domain . However, PROP 2, which seeks to override those incentives, is the wrong way to go. For one thing, the Council has already changed the guidelines for incentives. For another, this ties the hands of the City so dramatically that the best analogy is throwing the baby out with the bath water.
I'm not a big fan of development incentives mostly because it skews the economics of a project and can lead, rapidly, to overbuilding beyond what the market will support. However, for large employers coming into Austin as part of a large development project, they are a necessity. Was it in appropriate to use them at the Domain? Yes. Does that mean we have to go overboard and tie the hands of our elected officials? No. We do that at the ballot box when we decide on whether to keep or replace them.
We urge you to vote NO on Prop 2.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:55 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
You SUCK : Albert Gonzales Edition
You may have heard that Albert Gonzales, who lost to Karen Huber in the Democratic Primary, decided to endorse Libertarian Wes Benedict. If you were one of the, like, 20 people who know who Albert Gonzales AND Wes Benedict are.
We at McBlogger would just like to let you all know we think sour grapes suck. And so does Albert Gonzales.
Karen DID beat you, Albert and she'll win the general. And you'll still be sitting there, sucking.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:18 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
October 22, 2008
Yaburnt, Bitches!
From Harvey
When you get past the consultants, it is obvious that the general mood among Republican incumbents facing challengers is glum. While not euphoric, Democrats are upbeat if not downright enthusiastic about their prospects.A reliable pollster told us a month ago there was no evidence of a Democratic wave in Texas…but that was a month ago.
The bottom line? This election is a knife fight and, for the moment, Democrats have the power of the trends behind them.
My question to Harvey... who was that reliable pollster?
My only other comment, there is a wave and it will hopefully lift up those of you who have run lackluster (or, to put it another way, RETARDED) campaigns. You know who you are. Mostly because I've already told you I thought you were doing a shitty job.
In other words, some of you are going to win on accident.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:50 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Things that you can tell just by looking at polls
I gotta tell you, I'm pretty sick of this cycle. I'm tired of the inept people running the online portions of the campaigns who have decided to masturbate by sending 20-30 emails. A DAY. This long ago stopped being communication and has become polivomit.
Take the latest from the Obama campaign imploring us Texans to go to Ohio. Or New Mexico. As if Texas was solidly red and not at all in play. Obvs, it was written by someone who has no idea WTF is going on here, how close things are in Lege races and good local races around the state are looking.
Of course, while I'm irritated about all the emails from the campaigns, I'm even less tolerant of all the puma garbage coming over...
As a former Clinton supporter, y'all can go fuck yourselves. Slowly. With a telephone pole. Seriously, you may not like Obama but making shit up about him is just goddamn stupid. Even dumber is using the goddamn NY Post as a source. And your defense of Joe The Plumber was laughable. Seriously. The only reason the media cares about old Joe is because McThuselah kept using it over and over again in the debate. Unfortunately for McThuselah, his campaign didn't bother to vett him beyond the 'he doesn't like Obama' stage.
All this campaign garbage is a necessary evil. You have to win if you want to govern. However, we can't ever forget that the right is to blame for the mess we're in. The right got what they wanted, control over a major political party. They used this power, along with some help from some stupid Democrats and more moderate Republicans, to create the most business friendly environment since the robber barons. Ideologically, the right won and we've had 30 years of concentrating wealth at the top, stagnate wages and a deteriorating standard of living. Now we're at the point where tax cuts won't work to stimulate the economy... and no one is buying the bullshit.
And no, Grover, this wasn't the failure of Bush. It was the failure of you, your friends and your desire to put ideology over reality.
So, here I am realizing that the emails aren't done quite yet and that, in the end, they irritate me less than Grover Norquist.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:28 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 21, 2008
Good news in CD 10
The Statesman has a good piece up about just how competitive CD 10 is...
Now Democrats are giving McCaul his toughest challenge yet in the form of Washington County lawyer Larry Joe Doherty, the former star of a TV courtroom show.McCaul's district, which includes much of northern Travis County, stretches east along U.S. 290 to the western suburbs of Houston. Doherty can expect to run well in Democrat-friendly Travis County but will need to eat into McCaul's sizable advantage in the conservative areas near Houston and between the two big cities.
Given Larry Joe's roots in the Houston area, it's likely that McCaul's advantage there will be cut down significantly from 2006. If the numbers hold, it should be enough (if LJD can hold on to Ankrum's voters in 2006) to elect LJD.
Of course, this will help...
McCaul is an engaging, interesting former prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice. But his low profile and support for so much of the Bush administration program over his past two terms makes him an ill fit for Austin. That's one of the reasons we are endorsing Larry Joe Doherty for this seat.
This is a particularly interesting endorsement given The Statesman's support in the past for McCaul. Of course, most of that was driven by the execrable Rich Oppel who lived in McCaul's colon when he was in town.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:53 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
But, Senator McCain! She IS a liar!
Click here for Sen. McCain's latest race baiting piece of filthy advertising. It's what prompted me to wonder exactly HOW Senator McCain could claim Senator Obama was out of bounds for calling Governor Palin a liar. She DOES lie. It's been well documented and she continues to do it.
I think what's really eating McSame is that a black man is telling the truth about a white woman. The reality is that she's incompetent and a liar. Of course, lying and philandering is nothing new to John. Just ask his first wife.
Time to put the n*gger in his place, right Senator McCain? I know how you can pull yourself up! Talk some more about your imprisonment. We've not heard nearly enough about that and why you think it qualifies you to be President.
Posted by mcblogger at 11:04 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Looking on the bright side
They say every cloud has a silver lining. I know some might be puzzled as to how that might apply to Sarah Palin. The only thing I have come up with is that it has made Saturday Night Live really good again. I, like many, have loved Tina Fey's impersonation and enjoyed seeing her back on the show every week. So perhaps I should be grateful to Sarah Palin for getting me to watch the show again. It's a good thing, because I liked this.
And I absolutely LOVED THIS!
Posted by barfly at 08:28 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 20, 2008
It may not make you much smarter...
...but apparently it will slow Alzheimer's.
Posted by mcblogger at 03:36 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Go, Sherrie, GO!
Posted by mcblogger at 12:05 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Tolls : Get ready for the mileage tax
With the decline in the relative value of gas tax revenues (because the tax isn't being adjusted for inflation), the government is looking for new ways to tax folks to pay for roads (tolls, for example, are just another tax). One idea is to outfit every car with GPS-equipped transceivers that will automatically track and upload your location (and where you've been) to the government. In fact, it's being tested out here and the government is looking for a few brave guinea pigs drivers to test out the new Omnipresent Tracking And Detection System (I should soooo get a job naming government programs, right?).
Seriously, it never occurred to you to take down people's mileage when they got their inspection stickers on an annual basis, then compare it to the year before and charge them monthly? Or, even better, why not just RAISE THE DAMN GAS TAX.
Seriously, the gas tax IS a mileage tax. Just raise it and let's get on with the improvements to infrastructure we all acknowledge we need.
Posted by mcblogger at 09:30 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 18, 2008
Hi, this is Rose Petal again
I’m so sorry to take forever to say something, but after Mr. McBlogger took back his website, Amalgamated said I had too many occurrences and fired me. I’m not sure what that is, but when I asked them about it, the HR lady called the security guard. Big whoop. He’s some speed freak with bad breath and really smelly feet. I just walked out. What a bunch of lames. Anyway, mama’s got the cancer, so I’ve been taking care of her.
One day, Mr. McBlogger called me. He said I was funny and asked me to come to his house to talk about a job. Well, anytime a guy says I’m funny and wants me to come to his place, they usually end up getting their swerve on, or want to talk about Jesus and then hit on me. So I had my guard up.
When I saw that he was some old gay dude, I felt pretty safe. Except he kept drinking liquor, and the more he drank, the louder and meaner he got. Just like my last two boyfriends and stepdad.
I don’t care if he’s gay. One time I went over to Sam’s dad’s duplex. Her name is Samantha, we just call her that. He had gone with his girlfriend to a casino in Louisiana for the weekend, so we had the place to ourselves. We started drinking and Sam went to her dad’s room and brought back a porno DVD. Most of it was women. I think she then put on somebody named Melissa Ferrick and started to give me a back rub and then hugged my neck. We made out for a little. I think she’s done this before. That’s all we did, because it didn’t do much for me, but if you want to have sex with your own kind, so what.
Anyway, Mr. McBlogger wanted me to write about politics, which I know nothing about, so I asked an old boyfriend who still has benefits, and he said Sarah Palin is a MILF. Who knew he was into old women.
He was going off about this and that, saying Obama was an Arab and hangs out with terrorists. Like I said, I don’t know much about politics, but after listening to Mr. McBlogger about the candidates, I knew my old boyfriend was talking stupid. I asked him why he doesn’t join the Army and go to Iraq if he was so all American. He got all pissy, and lame too. I cut off his benef